Terry Gardner

He was born Jan. 25, 1947, at the Beeson Clinic, Wooster, to Lawrence E. and Helen L. (Whitcomb) Gardner, and was a 1965 graduate of Wooster High School. One of his most distinguished achievements was being the first recipient of the John Phillips Souza Band Award in 1965. Music (trombone in particular) was always his passion. Terry had played music professionally for 51 years.

He had enlisted in the U.S. Army music program in 1967 and the School of Music in Norfolk, Va., graduating third in his class. He went on to perform in service bands and other professional groups including the Buddy Rich Big Band.

A 1973 graduate of Ashland College, with degrees in communications and secondary education led him to teaching opportunities at the College. As a result he performed with such groups as Woody Herman and Doc Seversenson and the Tonight Show Band.

Terry had directed jazz ensembles at Ashland College and The College of Wooster and had soloed with several high school bands in the Wayne County area. He was currently the band leader of Good Company Band for more than 40 years.

He was the "Voice of The Wooster High School Marching Band" for 16 years, and was inducted into the Wooster High School Fine Arts Hall of Fame in recognition and appreciation of his achievements in the Fine Arts in March 2011.

He was an active member of the Local 159 Musicians Union and played various summer concerts that were sponsored by the Union. He was a former member of The Wooster Exchange Club and was a current member and past president of the Wooster-Madisonburg Lions Club. He was recently presented with the Melvin Jones Fellow Award in 2012 and Lion of the Year in 2011-12.

Terry was a life member of Central Christian Church of Wooster, where he served as chairman of the board and elder. He also served on the board of directors of Wayne Savings Community Bank for a number of years.

His professional credits include The Wooster Brush Company, WWST Radio, owner and president of Terry Gardner Builder/Developer, owner and president of Terra Management Co., owner and president of Terra Developers and current co-owner and vice president of Greenbriar Conference & Party Centre, Wooster.

He played on various basketball, softball, tennis and volleyball leagues in the Wayne County area and loved watching his daughter, Amy, perform in various musical venues.

Surviving are his wife of 39 years, Shirley (Dalton) Gardner; a daughter, Amy; and loving dog, Cubby. Also survived by sister and brother-in-law, Louise and Donald Odenkirk of Littleton, N.C.; his mother-in-law, Dorcas Dalton; a sister- and brother-in-law, Pam and Dave Dalton of Wooster; and several aunts, cousins, nieces and a nephew.